Today in History: Neil Armstrong First Walked on the Moon on This Day in 1969 (31 Pictures)

On this day in history 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human ever to walk on the surface of the moon. 240,000 miles from Earth, Neil speaks these famous words: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

1. Neil Armstrong, commander of the Apollo 11 mission to moon, in training for his work on the lunar surface, 1969.

Ralph Morse—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

2. Neil Armstrong on the cover of LIFE magazine, July 25, 1969.

LIFE magazine

3. Apollo 11 lifts off on its historic flight to the moon, July 16, 1969.

17. An eager Aldrin joins Armstrong on the moon 19 minutes later, photographed by Neil Armstrong. On his back rides a portable life-support system with oxygen for breathing, water for cooling, an electric-power supply, and raid equipment.

23. A tired but quietly jubilant Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong in space capsule after his historic walk on moon, July 1969.

NASA

24. Footprint left on the moon by Apollo 11 astronaut, 1969.

NASA/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

25. A view of Earth from space during the Apollo 11 mission, July 1969.

NASA/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

26. A photo of the American flag on the moon, taken during lift-off from the lunar surface, July 1969.

NASA

27. President Richard Nixon speaks with Apollo 11 astronauts Armstrong, Collins and Aldrin (still in their quarantine room) aboard the recovery ship Hornet following the crew's return to Earth, July 24, 1969.

via time.com

28. Apollo 11 astronauts Armstrong, Collins and Aldrin peer out the window of their quarantine room aboard the recovery ship Hornet following their return to Earth after historic mission to the moon, July 24, 1969.